advice needed
08-26-2001, 10:16 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
advice needed
I have a 83' 280ZX Turbo, and I have a header bolt that broke off into the engine block. Does anyone know why this would happen and also would you know how to remove the bolt. I would like to try and do this myself, but this my first Z car. Please help, I greatly appreciate it.
08-27-2001, 03:09 AM
#2
Snazzy Title
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,939
Re: advice needed
Welp,
The headers expand and contract with heat, so as the car heats up things expand, then when it cools down they contract. Sudden heat changes from very hot to very cold can cause things to crack. Such as headers, blocks, and bolts. But you also have to realize that your car is now 18 years old. Things like this may happen if the car was mistreated.
As for the bolt this is a tough one, I don't think the block is aluminum so it at least won't strip out the threads.. You can try to drill a small hole into the bolt, then tap it with some left handed threads and screw another bolt into it to see if it comes out. That'll require a few trips to a hardware store to find left handed thread tap and dye set though..
Good luck.
- John
The best thing
- john
The headers expand and contract with heat, so as the car heats up things expand, then when it cools down they contract. Sudden heat changes from very hot to very cold can cause things to crack. Such as headers, blocks, and bolts. But you also have to realize that your car is now 18 years old. Things like this may happen if the car was mistreated.
As for the bolt this is a tough one, I don't think the block is aluminum so it at least won't strip out the threads.. You can try to drill a small hole into the bolt, then tap it with some left handed threads and screw another bolt into it to see if it comes out. That'll require a few trips to a hardware store to find left handed thread tap and dye set though..
Good luck.
- John
The best thing
- john
08-27-2001, 09:10 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: advice needed
Well the header doesn't bolt to the block, it bolts to the head, which is aluminum. Extra care should be taken.
First start by taking off both manifolds (you'll need the space) and putting clean rags in each port in the head to keep junk from falling in and damaging your engine. Then soak the broken bolt in some penetrating oil. Chances are some of the bolt head is still left above the surface, if so its not too hard to get out. Let it soak for a few hours, keep applying the penetrating oil. Then if you can use a pair of vice grips on the nub that is sticking out, this should work.
If the bolt is broken off below the surface of the head, then 2 things may work. soak the bolt well in oil, first off. THen what I would try is using the broken head off the bolt to try to back out the other part. Simply snug it back into position as it was when it was whole, and let the friction between the 2 surfaces turn the broken section. (of course they key to this method is that the broken part still in the head needs to be loose, and not rusted into place)
Another option is to center drill the broken bolt, and use an EZ-out to get it out. I would strongly recommend having a machine shop do this unles you are sure you know what you are doing. This will likely result in you having to remove the head from the car.
I've rarely had to go the EZ-out route myself, which is good because its quite a bit more work.
[/b]
First start by taking off both manifolds (you'll need the space) and putting clean rags in each port in the head to keep junk from falling in and damaging your engine. Then soak the broken bolt in some penetrating oil. Chances are some of the bolt head is still left above the surface, if so its not too hard to get out. Let it soak for a few hours, keep applying the penetrating oil. Then if you can use a pair of vice grips on the nub that is sticking out, this should work.
If the bolt is broken off below the surface of the head, then 2 things may work. soak the bolt well in oil, first off. THen what I would try is using the broken head off the bolt to try to back out the other part. Simply snug it back into position as it was when it was whole, and let the friction between the 2 surfaces turn the broken section. (of course they key to this method is that the broken part still in the head needs to be loose, and not rusted into place)
Another option is to center drill the broken bolt, and use an EZ-out to get it out. I would strongly recommend having a machine shop do this unles you are sure you know what you are doing. This will likely result in you having to remove the head from the car.
I've rarely had to go the EZ-out route myself, which is good because its quite a bit more work.
[/b]
08-27-2001, 01:28 PM
#4
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Posts: n/a
Re: advice needed
I've never had good luck with EZ-outs, so be very careful if you try this. As a matter of fact, every time I've used an EZ-out, the tool has broken off inside the broken bolt, and this is IMPOSSIBLE to remove. I suggest center-drilling the sucker as close to the original ID of the bolt hole, then using a pick to collapse the shell of the bolt stub. A quick tap of the threads to clean it out and you should be good to go.
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